Welcome to "The Tenant" production updates page. Here you will find frequent updates, filming information and publicity for the horror feature film "The Tenant."

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

We are pleased to announce North American distribution has been secured for "The Tenant" with Indican Pictures.  After taking time to research many distribution companies over the past year, we felt that the team at Indican Pictures were the right fit and perfect partnership for our film.  Their years of experience in the business coupled with their enthusiasm and dedication to independent films is impressive.  Many thanks to all of the cast, crew and fans who have continued to support the film.  As we take the film to the next level, your efforts to promote the film along with us will help to make it a real success! 

Check for updates at our Facebook fan page at:

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/The-Tenant/18968044314

Our trailer now featured on FearNet

Stay tuned for our banner in the April edition of Fangoria www.fangoria.com

To read more about Indican Pictures

www.indicanpictures.com

Previous article about Indican from Moviemaker Magazine:

http://www.moviemaker.com/distribution/article/doing_distribution_right_2835/

Thurs. Apr 30th 2009

We know that you have all been anxiously awaiting an update from the team and we are excited to let you know that we are close to completing the edit. The next step involves the sound and music, which are crucial to the audience experience.

Quoting our Director, ".....we're close to finally seeing a completed film. The experience of making The Tenant was very rewarding. Everybody broke their asses to make this a good film. We had a great cast who worked very hard and an equally great crew, top to bottom to make this film a reality...." Ric LaMonte

Thank you, cast and crew. Your collaboration helped bring this story to life.......This would not have been possible without your efforts and amazing talent! And to all of the fans of THE TENANT, enjoy the new trailer and pass on the link to everyone you know. Let's keep those websight hits coming. We are right at the million mark !

- Melissa Gruver, Randy Molnar and Ric La Monte

Sun. Aug 4th 2008

It's the morning after. We've wrapped principal photography....and it feels good!!! Producers Randy Molnar & Melissa Gruver put together a wonderful team of crew/cast members and we all are looking forward to the final cut. Editors Drew Koller & Tom Pinnock are working diligently with Director Ric La Monte on the next trailer, which will be posted in September. And now it's time for the wrap party. For those cast/crew members that are reading; as Associate Producer & speaking on behalf of all the producers, I'd like to thank you all for your hard work and dedication. We couldn't have done it without you, however small or large your effort. Making a film is a team effort and you all helped this production tremendously. Thank you Thank you Thank you. Oh yeah....and no more crashing the Cube Truck....you know who you are.....My blog updates from now on will be minimal, but you'll here from me. This is Joe McConnell for the new feature film 'The Tenant'.....I'm out!

Sat. Aug 2nd 2008

We've finally made it....the last day of filming. Now, I should write about each cast and crew member and give them their due respect and props for all of their hard work and dedication.  But I am only going to honor one person on this blog. As the Director stated in his final speech to the crew....I will now reiterate what was said. Producer Melissa Gruver has poured her life into this film. At times when she should have been sitting back resting, she was helping the grips, or helping craft services, or helping the P.A.'s. It's not that our film is so low-budget that we needed the producers to do these duties. If she wanted, Melissa could have just sat back behind the monitor these last 6 weeks and relaxed. But that's not who she is. She's a hard worker. And even as a Producer she puts everyone before herself. So for this blog.....Melissa....you did it! And I know on your next film, regardless if the budget is 1 million or 100 million, you will never act like a snobby stuck up Producer who never lifts a finger. That's why we all love you. Congratulations Melissa.....As for everything else. We've got a really really really really really really long day ahead of us. And then after we wrap...we've got a really really really really really long day of partying ahead of us. I'll shoot you out another blog tomorrow letting you know about the last days shenanigans......I'm out.

Thu. July 31st 2008

Tempers were hot. Bugs were biting. The sand was wet. And moist. And itchy. And the McDonald's breakfast sandwiches were plentiful. At the last minute we changed locations and ended up shooting in Oviedo,FL. Fortunately we had a successful day at our location; unfortunately there were no milkshakes. Director Ric La Monte was on edge, which is healthy when one is stuck inside of a muggy & hot basement with 30 people, but the rockstar Director forged on through the muck and we got our shots. Big credits to Jose Cassella our DP, Jamie Velez-Soto Jr. our 1st A.D. , Techworks Studios and all of our P.A.'s. It was a tough location to shoot at but we pulled it off. Only two more days left....

Wed. July 30th 2008

We've got 4 days left of shooting here in Orlando for 'The Tenant'. Everything is going as usual; craft services are making the best breakfasts, the crew is on schedule, the producers are rambling around and Claudio and Pete, our sound crew, are making bodily noises. There's actually nothing too crazy to report. All is well here on set and the last week has started off smoothly. There are some big scenes taking place this week and a couple of re-shoots. If you haven't yet seen the trailer please check out 'The Tenant Media' section; that's where you can see on-set photos and video from the film.

Sat. July 26th 2008

Today we're shooting some action scenes with lots of stunts. Sweet! Actually yesterday Mr. LaRose took on his own stunt and got thrown through a wall. It was pretty awesome, and J. LaRose is ok.... don't worry. In a couple of minutes the stunt performers are going to head onto set and rehearse the new fight scene. Young Haley Boyle who plays Lydia did some stunts of her own yesterday and did an excellent job. And we're full of birthdays on this set; we celebrated P.A. Sean Molnar's birthday today. We've got the day off tomorrow and I can't believe we're almost wrapped on shooting. One more week to go and then this film hits the editing room. 'The Tenant' will be ready for your viewing pleasure in the new year.

Tue. July 22nd 2008

Our cast of characters keeps on growing. This week we've started shooting the scenes with the kids, Travis Ingraham, Christine LaRose, Brooke Carroll, Gabriela Rodriguez and Haley Boyle. Things are going well on set and the film is on schedule. Script Supervisor Brittney Cook is doing an excellent job and if you ever see her anywhere give her a high five. The dreaded Florida thunderstorms finally hit us, but luckily we're safe at the sound stage now. Also, the Techworks Studios special effects crew came in from L.A. for the duration of the shoot. I'd love to tell you all about the special effects, blood & guts and rigging, but I'm sworn to 'Tenant' secrecy. The video blog will be posted shortly so you'll be able to get to know us all a little better.

Mon. July 14th 2008

Over the past week we've had some exceptional footage, long shooting days and a visit from veteran actor Michael Berryman. The crew went back up to Lake Helen to begin shooting the first scenes with J LaRose, who is by the way a really cool guy. J LaRose's grittyness in the character Jeff was good to have on set because so far we've been shooting the strong female characters such as Sylvia Boykin's, Ms. Tinsley and Georgia Chris's, Olivia. Now we're gearing up to shoot the rest of the film which stars the male hero, Jeff. It wasn't as brutal outside because the good lord decided to turn down the thermostat over the weekend. Thank you! Sylvia Boykin has finished out her scenes and has gone back home. Big changes have happened, since the film is essentially shot in two halfs; present day & the past. So it was a little difficult to say goodbye to Randy, Georgia and Sylvia. But now we move on to an entirely new cast and new section of the film. On Randy's last day when the director yelled, 'Cut', there were roars and applause. Much of the crew has worked with Mr. Molnar in the past and it was a bittersweet feeling knowing that Randy would no longer be in the make-up room each morning getting ready to shoot. The make-up, hair and wardrobe department have their work cut out for them again because of the massive cast on set, but they're pro's. Speaking on behalf of the producers and A.D. department, I am sending out a huge thank you to the production assistants Sean Molnar, Nils Tarranger, Georginia Hurge, Erin Kelly, Fleetwood Gruver and Jeff Moll who are headed by Key P.A. Michelle Roca. When the bottom of your crew is as strong as these guys are and act like they're on the top, your movie can do nothing but good things. Week three is wrapped up and we're going strong. This is Joe McConnell.....I'm out.

Fri. July 11th 2008

Everyone was honored to have Michael Berryman (The Hills Have Eyes) on set working with us. His experience and prescence alone on the set was a blessing. During rehearsal while I was shooting behind the scenes footage during Mr. Berryman's dramatic scene, I had tears in my eyes. Yes, he's that good. He allowed all the other actors surrounding him to step up their performances. I can't wait to see the final cut of the scene. Michael Berryman plays Aurthur Delman, an inmate at the asylum who is inadvertantly abused by the sneaky Dr. Newman. When Aurthur's estranged daughters come to visit him, he is too ashamed of his condition to embrace the fact that his children still love him.

Sun. July 6th 2008

Today the crew celebrated P.A. Nils Tarranger’s 21st birthday after shooting wrapped. Congratulations to him. The crew is coming round on week 3 and all is going very well. Soon we should have up the video blog, which you’ll be able to view on this site, along with some behind the scenes interviews with the cast & crew. Tom Pinnock, Jaime Velez-Soto Jr. and myself have been working on the behind the scenes footage. As for filming, we are on schedule which is a very good thing. The set is slowly making it’s change from being a clean & up to date laboratory, to a run-down, dirty asylum. Next week we’ll head back up to Lake Helen to commence some more exterior scenes. And then we’ll head back to the soundstage for a couple more weeks of interior shooting.

Sat. July 5th 2008

Jenn Sterger was on set today, you may know her from her days as an FSU Cowgirl, or from her spreads in Playboy and Maxim. Jenn is playing a mental patient. In the film, Dr. Walter Newman owns & operates an asylum which is being torn apart due to his negligence whilst he works on his genetic experiments. Jenn portrays a mental patient that is deprived of medical attention who ends up lashing out at a fellow inmate. She is paving her way from magazine spreads & interviews into the world of acting. So all you Jenn Sterger fans….check it out. She’s got a killer fight scene in the movie.

Fri. July 4th 2008

We all celebrated Independence Day at the Directors house. It was good to see the crew relaxing with canoe rides on the lake. I had the chance to speak with J LaRose (SAW III) about his upcoming role in the film and he was nothing but excited. Mr. LaRose plays Jeff, an ex-con who unwillingly gets involved in the mayhem while he is serving his probation time as a driver. I cannot divulge anymore information about J LaRose’s character. Will he die like in the SAW films? Or will he live?

Wed. July 2nd 2008

‘They don’t call em’ hard nights for nothing’, quoted from our Director Ric La Monte, when speaking about the overnight shoot. He is absolutely right. Check out the pictures in our week one gallery. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Bill Cobbs to talk about his role in this film and acting in general. He was so excited to be a part of this film and loves acting alongside Randy Molnar (he also appeared with him in ‘This Man’s Life’). Bill plays Jack Rymer, an assistant to Dr. Walter Newman. In the scene, Dr. Newman pushes Rymer too far on a certain errand, which leads Mr. Cobb’s character to confront the strange and unethical doctor.

Sun. June 29th 2008

Tonight is the big shoot with the legendary Bill Cobbs (Night at the Museum). We’re on location at Lake Helen for our overnight shoot. Luckily we haven’t had to halt production at all due to the weather. These Florida thunderstorms have been wild. And the rain machines are out, although we might not need them after watching the weather forecast. The P.A.’s are running around like chickens with their heads cut off, the crew is smoking a lot of cigarettes, the Producers are stressed out; a perfect recipe for a perfect night of filmmaking.

Fri. June 27th 2008

Sylvia Boykin, who plays, Ms. Tinsley, was on set today and I had a chance to speak with her. For a nice person, she plays a good bitch in the movies. Sylvia brings a good attitude to the diabolical character Ms. Tinsley. A little info on the crew, Michelle Roca, the Key P.A. is a rockstar. So is the 1st A.D. Jaime Velez-Soto Jr. These people never sleep and they’re still getting the job done. The wardrobe department which is headed by Beverly Safier is doing an excellent job. Armando Pompa is an awesome Wardrobe Supervisor. I’m giving out big props to the entire crew today. I wish y’all were here to see it, so why don’t you check out some of the pictures. You can view them in the Week 1 Picture Gallery.

Thurs. June 26th 2008

Howdy…I got up to the set yesterday. This is a very professional crew. Director Ric La Monte was stellar. The lighting guys Steve Braun & Mike Smallwood are also pretty impressive with their craft. All in all, it was good to see the crew having a successful first day. And that Georgia Chris, she plays Olivia, she’s pretty hot. I think you’ll enjoy watching her…because she’s hot. And everyone likes hotness, because hotness is the best. In all seriousness, she’s a very talented actress and I look forward to seeing her work on the big screen. The Director of Photography, Jose Zambrano Cassella, is a master at his craft. He is shooting in HD but with 35mm Panavision film lenses. Once this film is on the big screen, it’ll look even more amazing.

Wed. June 25th 2008

The crew had its first big meeting the other night. It was kind of an opening pep talk which was headed by First A.D. Jaime Velez-Soto Jr. and Producer Melissa Gruver. The crew starts its work up in Lake Helen (about 25 miles north of Orlando) today. Another film, ‘First of May’ starring Mickey Rooney was shot in Lake Helen. On these hot Florida days the team will have their work cut out for them.

Sun. June 22nd 2008

I had the opportunity to sit down and speak with Director Ric La Monte, who also wrote the film, and it was very enlightening talking with him. Ric is really delving into a new facet of the ever popular horror genre which tends to get overplayed. He wrote a great story and is surrounding it with all the classic elements that we moviegoers love. He’s very passionate about his work and I look forward to seeing it manifest in the coming months. You’ll have your gore, you’ll have your blood, you’ll have your screams. And you’ll also have a genuine heartfelt storyline, something that slash em up horror films sometimes miss.

Sat. June 21st 2008

Hey Gang. So far all the behind the scenes work is coming along very well. Art Director Stefan Price has been working diligently to get the sets built in time for the shoot, and let me tell you , they look awesome. The production crew will be filming a majority of ‘The Tenant’ on the soundstage at Studio 500 which is part of the University of Central Florida.

Fri. June 20th 2008

Howdy folks, Joseph McConnell here. I’m a friend of the producers Randy Molnar & Melissa Gruver and last minute they called me up and said, ‘Hey Joe. Wanna come down to Florida and help out on our film?’. Naturally I said, ‘Abso-friggin’ lutely!’. I will be your official journalist shooting you updates and going on’s at the film set. We are gearing up to make a feature film titled, ‘The Tenant’ which is being shot on a soundstage in Orlando, FL and on location in Lake Helen, FL. This is the first feature film production for ReelDreams Productions & the 3rd time producing for Melissa Gruver. Randy Molnar who is playing, Dr. Walter Newman, is also a partner of ReelDreams Productions and one of the producers of this film.